Chapter Twenty Nine: This is the New Year.

The atmosphere was relaxed on New Years Eve.  Eliza was openly wearing one of her jumpers this time.  There was eating in the living room.  Ainsley found herself explaining family stories to Nathaniel.  Like the time Bob wasn't paying attention and she drew all over the wall the Pancakes were painting.  Bob offered a toast to his artistic, creative and troublesome little girl.

The ladies got a little tipsy and began singing.  Finally, they all watched the countdown to midnight together.  Addison found a toy horn to make a great deal of noise to welcome in the New Year.

The Willow Creek Pancakes all made resolutions.  Bob wanted to become more assertive and skilful.

Although Addison was barely seventeen years old, she decided this was the year she was going to get a boyfriend.  She could be found chatting to school chums and strangers online.

As so many women do, Eliza wanted to lose weight.  She was trying hard to set a good and balanced example for her impressionable daughter.

Bob turned sixty. Although he'd tell anyone who asked that he didn't feel his age.  Addison teased him about getting grey in his hair.

Addison still wouldn't apply herself to schooling.  Bob would being helping her with a project and Addison's phone would go.
"I thought you said this was due Friday?" Bob protested.
 "Umm, yeah, thanks Dad" Addison replied in distracted tones.  And Bob would be left to do most of the work.

Part of the problem was that Addison was spending far too much time with a boy named Anton.